The Corset Revival: How celebrities are wearing the trend

Style Dos and Don’ts Of 2012

From fabulous frocks to red carpet roadkill, we covered it all in 2012. Street Style fails? Red carpet dreams? Party horrors? Yes, yes and yes! Here's our round-up of the best, worst and downright craziest A-list looks of the year

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DO #1: Florence Welch at the Britain Creates party, June

We said: "Looking positively demure, Florence Welch reaches for another opulent long evening gown - this time, by British designer Julian Macdonald. DO balance out a dramatic dress with less-is-more make-up and a pop of lippie."

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DON’T #1: Bonnie Wright at the Cannes Film Festival, May

We said: "DON’T underplay it. Should you ever find yourself invited to a world premiere-type event packed with international press, perhaps you might want to rethink wearing your slippers. Yes, Bonnie Wright: we’re looking at you."

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DO #2: Kate Middleton at the Lucian Freud Portraits opening, February

We said: "DO keep it classy and quintessentially English in winter woollens like the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. Dress coats are the way forward! We'll be on the lookout for a flattering, full-skirted number just like this one, which is by high street label Jesire."

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DON’T #2: Dakota Fanning out and about in New York, March

We said: "Military influences are going to be huge for autumn/winter 2012, so a jacket like Dakota Fanning's is a must-buy. DON’T style it like this, with summery separates, though - go for a sharper, sleeker look."

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DO #3: Chloe Moretz at the Dark Shadows LA premiere, May

We said: "What with a new movie (in which she stars alongside Johnny Depp) coming out and a killer red carpet wardrobe, Chloe Moretz is scoring DOs left, right and centre!"

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DON’T #3: Paloma Faith out and about in London, September

We said: "DON’T co-ordinate your dress with your dental upkeep! Wethinks Paloma Faith's dedication to the Midas touch has gone a tad too far with the addition of a gold tooth."

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DO #4: Keira Knightley at the Anna Karenina London premiere, September

We said: "Chanel Couture for a film premiere? How many times can we say DO? Keira Knightley looks just stunning in this fishtail peach gown (plus, she has Rupert Sanderson heels beneath, lucky gal). Wonder whether she got any wedding dress inspiration while she was rifling the rails...?"

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DON'T #4: Lady Gaga at LAX airport, July

We said: "DON’T forget to put on your skirt. We're not sure even Lady Gaga pulls off this extreme underwear-as-outerwear look - especially at the airport!"

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DO #5: Carey Mulligan at the London Critics' Circle Film Awards, January

We said: "Carey Mulligan's style cred has gone into overdrive of late! Watch, learn and DO liven up your look with unexpected colour combinations. This Roland Mouret dress paired with blue YSL heels has the wow factor in spades."

We said: "This outfit had so much potential - after all, it is vintage Versace - but, alas, that style of hair with that shape of dress puts us in mind of stepping out of the shower and thus adds up to a DON’T in our style book. Sorry, Penelope!"

We said: "Yes, Ali Larter can pull this daring look off - that's not in question. We just DON’T like it. Looking at her top hurts our eyes."

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DO #8: Emma Watson at The Perks Of Being A Wallflower LA premiere, September

We said: "Our cover girl, Emma Watson, strikes fashion gold once again in a stunning Giorgio Armani lace dress deftly accessorised with little other than rouge lips and understated sandals. A DO to remember!"

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DON'T #8: Angelina Jolie at the Oscars, February

We said: "Here's a cautionary tale. Girl spends hours getting ready to go out - great dress, great hair, you know the score - and then manages to sabotage it all by being a massive poseur. It happened to Angelina Jolie. DON’T let it happen to you."

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DO #9: Marion Cotillard at an event at Claridge's Hotel, November

We said: "Marion's been on a Christian Dior hot-streak - and if ain't broke... DO find a label that works for you and stock up on it."

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DON'T #9: Katy Perry at the Part Of Me Tokyo film premiere, September

We said: "We're all for dreamy prints, but be aware that the wrong accessory choices can make or break an outfit. As in, DON’T forget to add some. Who knew Katy Perry was such a minimalist?"

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DO #10: Sarah Jessica Parker at the NYC Ballet's Valentino event, September

We said: "DO make the most of a black tie invitation and let your imagination run riot. Flowers in your hair? Why ever not? SJP looks a dream in her fairytale Valentino dress here."

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DON'T #10: Shailene Woodley at the Red Lights New York premiere, June

We said: "Oh, Shailene. We know you're a kook, and we really do rate your penchant for experimenting, wardrobe-wise, but hitting a party without drying your hair before you leave the house is always going to get you a DON’T from us."

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DO #11: Kristen Stewart at the Toronto Film Festival, September

We said: "Kristen Stewart's first official public appearance since that scandal broke was always going to be a sartorial minefield to navigate. Well, someone give this girl some kudos, because she has pulled it off. This embroidered lace cocktail dress from Zuhair Murad's autumn/winter 2012 Couture line wasn't a safe choice, but it is on the subtle side of sexy (note how she's covered up those amazing legs), while the black Jimmy Choo heels are a simple and chic accent. It's 100% a DO from us."

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DON'T #11: Amy Adams at The Late Show studios, August

We said: "DON’T think that throwing on a block-colour dress and pair of booties will automatically win you style kudos. Yes, in theory, it'll work - but this pairing is doing no favours to Amy Adams' figure."

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DO #12: Diane Kruger at the Farewell My Queen Berlin photocall, February

We said: "DO dress outside of the box and leave your comfort zone behind once in a while. Diane Kruger is very good at doing just this - we can never predict what she'll wear next, so this 10 Crosby Derek Lam outfit was a pleasant surprise."

We said: "Mixing prints is big for autumn/winter, as SJP well knows - so we give her props for that. But DON’T choose outerwear that could double as a sleeping bag. Like her, you'll get lost in the oversized silhouette."

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DO #14: Emma Stone at The Amazing Spider-Man Madrid premiere, June

We said: "Wow - what a dress, Emma Stone! DO, DO, DO combine decadent lace and florals with a figure-illuminating print, as seen on this gorgeous Dolce & Gabbana number."

We said: "DO be wary when pairing over-the-knee boots with a mini hemline - it's easy to err on the OTT. Fortunately, style pro Miranda Kerr pulls it off thanks to an ultra-luxe coat, oversized bag and statement sunnies."

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DON'T #15: Rihanna at Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour opening night, January

We said: "When it comes to pimping your biker jacket, exercise caution. Even on Rihanna, this printed, studded, epauletted creation looks a bit... Well, much. And DON’T even get us started on wearing sunglasses indoors. At night. Let's just chalk this one up to experience, shall we?"

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DO #16: Katy Perry at the Spirit of Life Awards in LA, June

We said: "DO take your wardrobe on a blast to the past and revive the Gatsby era. Wearing a 20s flapper dress, long pearls and an ornate headband, it's a stunning look Katy Perry. PS Smouldering eye makeup is a major DO, too."

We said: "From the pink-red clash to the on-trend peplum to the divine texture on this Louis Vuitton dress, Michelle Williams' beautiful, beautiful Oscars look is all kinds of DO. One of the best of the season, hands down."

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DON'T #17: Katie Holmes on the street in New York, March

We said: "Sorry, Katie, but this try-hard ensemble deserves only one word. DON’T."

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DO #18: Gwen Stefani out and about in New York, July

We said: "When wearing head-to-toe leopard print, be sure to own it. As Gwen Stefani knows, a high maintenance make-up look will DO the trick!"

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DON'T #18: Eliza Doolittle at the Claire's for Unicef launch in London, November

We said: "We know you're proud of your abs, Eliza, and we really DON’T blame you - but in November? With Hammer pants? And a rainbow faux fur gilet? Really?"

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DO #19: Rita Ora at the MOBO Awards 2012, November

We said: "Floral appliqué was a hit on the catwalk last season. DO make like Rita Ora, wearing McQ Alexander McQueen, and go full bloom with your fashion."

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DON'T #19: Katherine Heigl out and about in LA, April

We said: "DON’T think that an outfit will look good just because it's colour co-ordinated. Katherine Heigl may look gorgeous no matter what she wears but this is not a good fashion moment for the star."

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DO #20: Solange Knowles at the Runway To Win fundraiser for Barack Obama, February

We said: "We [b]DO[/i] think that Solange Knowles is giving big sister Beyoncé a real run for her money style-wise in this show-stopping, peplum-waisted gown by Vera Wang. In a word: wow."

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DON'T #20: Kelly Brook out and about in London, August

We said: "Call us particular but we DON’T like mis-matching our handbags and luggage with a statement outfit! Kelly Brook's LV vanity case and tan leather tote jar with her ethnic-chic look here. Hey, if you're dedicated to aesthetics, then details matter!"